central52 Posted September 6, 2015 Report Posted September 6, 2015 My amp reading on my 47 Dodge reads all the way to the right, when I'm driving, or when I push on the accelarator. At idle, it reads slightly above the mid mark. Doesn't look right to me. What would cause this? Any damage to the electrical system if I keep driving like this? Ed Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 6, 2015 Report Posted September 6, 2015 first off you have to determine in there is really a high amperage reading and not just an indication of one...have you read the circuit with anything other than the on board amp meter? Quote
DonaldSmith Posted September 6, 2015 Report Posted September 6, 2015 Has your battery run down and the generator or alternator is trying to recharge the battery? (Do you have a generator or an alternator?) Charging at idle would suggest that you have an alternator; it charges at idle; more speed, more charge, until the battery is charged. Or is the ammeter wired the other way, so that the needle to the right would indicate discharge? (Not likely; why more discharge at speed?) Quote
Don Coatney Posted September 6, 2015 Report Posted September 6, 2015 Is your generator really HOT to the touch? Takes no meter for this test. Quote
greg g Posted September 6, 2015 Report Posted September 6, 2015 If you turn on your headlights does it moderate the rate of charge? do the high beams have more of an effect ? If yes then your regulator may be at fault (the cut out circuit most likely) Could be as simple as points int he regulator sticking. The field could be inadvertently grounding through a worn wire. The constant over charging will cook the electrolyte solution out of the battery. If it uncovers the tops of the plates it could be an explosive situation. Quote
central52 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Report Posted September 7, 2015 Thanks, guys, for that info. Will start to troubleshoot the problem. In fact, I'm going out to the garage and check the battery to see if I lost electrolyte. Ed Quote
central52 Posted September 8, 2015 Author Report Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) Checked the electrolyte in battery, water above the plates. With hi beam on, raced engine, and light slightly increased in intensity. Have a generator, after running car for five minutes, it felt warm, but not hot. I'm thinking about the voltage regulator. When I got the car last year, I noticed the battery was hooked up to be negative ground. Not positive. Would this be a reason? All electrical circuits function normally. I saw on ebay, a voltage regulator for sale that stated it's for a negative ground. Think that might be the problem? I hope you guys don't take offense that I ask stupid questions, and that I should know better. I appreciate this forum for the input I get on a lot of issues I have with me car. Ed Edited September 8, 2015 by central52 Quote
central52 Posted September 12, 2015 Author Report Posted September 12, 2015 OK, problem solved. Greg g suggested maybe points in regulator sticking. So, I gave the regulator a couple of good whacks with a plastic hammer. And, it worked. Amp gauge reads normal when I gas the pedal, just moves to the right a little now. Whew! Ed Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 12, 2015 Report Posted September 12, 2015 yeah..if you can't fix it with a hammer...there is always a piece of duct tape to hold the needle where you want to see it.....lol Quote
Don Coatney Posted September 12, 2015 Report Posted September 12, 2015 OK, problem solved. Greg g suggested maybe points in regulator sticking. So, I gave the regulator a couple of good whacks with a plastic hammer. And, it worked. Amp gauge reads normal when I gas the pedal, just moves to the right a little now. Whew! Ed That is good. Next time this happens you will know what to do. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 12, 2015 Report Posted September 12, 2015 (edited) hope you have a large collection of various size hammers to be able to continually effect this fix as it gets worse and worse.....USED TO BE you could say if you can 't fix it with a hammer you had an electrical problem..it seems, I WAS WRONG Edited September 12, 2015 by Plymouthy Adams 1 Quote
central52 Posted September 12, 2015 Author Report Posted September 12, 2015 But I probably need a new voltage regulator, I guess. If it happens again, I'll buy one. Ed Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted September 12, 2015 Report Posted September 12, 2015 But I probably need a new voltage regulator, I guess. If it happens again, I'll buy one. Ed this is why I suggested and linked to you the book...proper troubleshooting specs and burnishing of the contacts and ensuring cut in and cut our rates are outlined in the book...odds are you just need some precision maintenance... I was ragging you on the hammer and tape...but DO wait for the book....read it a couple times then have it at your side when you go to tweak the regulator if you decide you are up to the task and have the proper tools on hand. Quote
central52 Posted September 14, 2015 Author Report Posted September 14, 2015 Yes, I defintely will do the manual. Ed Quote
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